Apple Valley man accused of sexually abusing 5 kids

An Apple Valley man has been arrested for allegedly sexually abusing five children in his neighborhood.

Paul Hultman, 56, is accused of sexually abusing four girls, ages 12 to 15, and one 8-year-old boy.

The abuse came to light when authorities responded to a disturbance call involving several people in the 16000 block of Winnebago Road Sunday at 3:43 p.m. One victim's parent was attempting to confront Hultman about the alleged sexual abuse, deputies said.

According to investigators, the teenage girl told her parents that Hultman had been sexually abusing her for more than a year.

"The parents did try and have a conversation with him and it was obviously a heated conversation," said Cindy Bachman with the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.

The alleged victim told authorities that Hultman bribed her with money and gifts in exchange for her silence.

Hultman was taken into custody and booked for continual sexual abuse of a child. Hultman was scheduled to appear in court Tuesday, but his arraignment was postponed until Wednesday morning. He is being held on $1 million bail.

Neighbor Jonathan Lipsomb says there may have been warning signs. He says a few months ago he witnessed a disturbing display by Hultman while passing by the suspect's home.

"Me, and my sister, and our friend, we were walking by and we saw him naked standing in the window," said Lipsomb.

That incident went unreported. Authorities say there may be more victims. Hultman was associated with two preschools in the Santa Barbara area until 2007: Sherwood Montessori School, 487. N. Turnpike Rd., and Sherwood Montessori House of Children, 5070 Cathedral Oaks Rd.

Anyone with information is urged to call detectives at (909) 387-3615.